A Prospect Park and Central Park Double Header
With the road racing season coming to an end, this was one of the last big racing weekends in NYC. So, after a season of hard work and few results, I was looking forward to it. This has been my first season as a Cat 2 and I have been mostly racing alone or with limited teammates, so putting the pieces together for a good finish has been a bit challenging. Fortunately, this weekend went rather well and I ended up with my best finishes in both parks so far. On top of that, we got to debut our new kit on a (wide angle) podium in our first races wearing it.
Castelli Cat 2/3 on Saturday: 4th
This one was a bit of a strange race. Matt was racing with me and got in the break that rolled away on lap 1. This was great, as it meant I wouldn’t have to do much for a little while. I helped block with the other teams in the breakaway, but the field did not seem very concerned so it wasn’t difficult. Matt unfortunately got spit out of the break after about 40 minutes up there, so then I had to change strategies and begin playing cards. Veselka and Paria had brought crews out to chase the GC, KOM, and Sprint jerseys, so I had to play their hands. The rider in Yellow ended up crashing out before the break got caught, and after that, the teams decided to chase down the break. All in all, the break was away for about an hour. Brutal. Glad I wasn’t in that.
Then there were 4 laps left, so I stayed near the front watching for attacks to go with. The Masters break caught us and had to finish with our field neutralized, which was a bummer for them – especially considering the clown in our field yelling “senior citizens!” at them. We all know who he is, and his jokes aren’t funny but he won’t shut up.
Anyway, I played it patiently and was in a good position in the last lap. Chris Pulomena attacked solo with speed after the downhill, and went away. I didn’t see him, and I think most people didn’t. He got a huge gap and Emma, having seen him go, pulled me up to the front, except I didn't know what was going on. A good idea wasted on me because I wasn’t paying attention. I was top 3 wheels going into the hill and went up with the front group, when Austin from Veselka and Vincent Ribeiro jumped from behind me before the sprint. I briefly hesitated ,so I couldn't sprint alongside them, so instead came in right behind them for 4th. Chris stayed away and got the win, mad props on a ballsy move that few people could have made work at Prospect Park.
CRCA A Field Championships: 11th
Yeah it’s kind of weird to be satisfied with 11th place, but Central Park doesn’t suit me, I was racing without teammates, and I haven’t gotten anywhere near the top 10 at Central Park since I was a Cat 5. Good Guys, Foundation, Dave Jordan, NYCC and Automatic brought crews out to this race because it was CRCA Champs.
It was another day for the breakaway, with Foundation getting a solo move away very early on. After that, There were constant attacks and counter-attacks for a while, which sucks when you’re out there by yourself. The chase move that got away and had the eventual race winner who caught the solo break went when I was taking a break. After that move broke up and GG and Foundation had guys up the road, it got boring for a bit. I kept an eye out for a chase move but it wasn’t going to happen. DJ decided to wait for the field sprint, so Automatic had to chase but it was too little too late.
The lead in to the finish was really tight for the last two laps, with a crash from another field on the straightaway before the Tavern finish and the ambulance on the right side. I didn't really want to be in the field going through that section into the finish, so I got into late move with R* and DJ that went on the west side of the park. I made it past the ambulance safely, and then got caught going into the sprint. I stayed with the surge, but a casual rider in the middle of the road on the crosswalk made me and a few other slam the breaks. (A late season Central Park classic!) I was way out of position but sprinted to finish just outside of the top 10.
All in all, it was a great weekend of road racing and at least the last big one for me. Still have two FBFs and La Clasica in Puerto Rico for me, but then it’s off/cross season and I am ready for it.
Prospect Park Race Gallery by Scott
Prospect Park Race Gallery by Matt
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I race road for To Be Determined and work in technology in NYC.
